CVC instructs DoT to investigate “under-reporting” by Bharti Airtel

Central Vigilance CommissionWith Member of Parliament Ajay Chakraborty allegedly complaining against Bharti Airtel with regard to its revenue reporting on its national long distance license (NLD), the company has come under the scrutiny of the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC).

Chakraborty has alleged that the under-reporting, "anti competitive practice of Bharti Airtel in long distance carriage" may well have resulted in Rs 100 crore yearly losses to the government.

In a move to "investigate" the alleged under-reporting of revenues by Bharti Airtel, the CVC has issued the requisite instructions to the Department of Telecom (DoT) to probe into the proceedings, and tender a report about the same by June 9.

As per the CVC directives, the DoT would conduct an investigation into whether Bharti Airtel had breached the norms by showing higher revenues under its long distance licence, in order to reduce its revenue share payments to the Government, and also whether any officials of the DoT or TRAI had hatched up with the company in its suspected endeavors.

Meanwhile, saying that Bharti was not involved in any wrongdoing, the company spokesperson elaborated: "As a responsible corporate, Bharti Airtel strictly adheres to the regulatory requirements and processes. Our carriage charges for the NLD business are well within the ceiling provided by the authority and are as per market practice & non-discriminatory."

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